ELDON — Olympic National Park rangers rescued an injured hiker from the Upper Lena Lake area over the weekend, park officials reported Monday.
Ed Mulherin, 51, of Port Orchard hiked to Upper Lena Lake, in southern Jefferson County north of Staircase, for a day trip.
Heading back to the trailhead at the end of the day, Mulherin fell along the steep trail, likely fracturing his right ankle, a park spokeswoman said.
Other hikers left the area and contacted 9-1-1 dispatchers, who notified park rangers.
Two rangers reached Mulherin around 11:30 p.m. Saturday and kept him stabilized during the night.
Several more rangers assisted Sunday. Using a wheeled litter, they transported Mulherin over 6 miles and a 1,500-foot drop in elevation.
Volunteers from the Mason County chapter of Backcountry Horsemen assisted during the final 1.5 miles, a park spokeswoman said.
